Wool forking, elevating, and conveying machine.



YPATENTED AUG. 30', 1904.

' J. H. TILLINGHAST.

WOOL PORKING, ELEVATING, AN-D CONVEYING MACHINE.

APPLI'OATION FILED MAR. 16, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTED AUG. 30, 1904.

J. H. TILLINGHAST WOOL FORKING, ELEVATING, AND GONVEYING' MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 1 6, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

N0 MODEL.

, PATENTBD AUG. 30, I904. J. H. TILLINGHAS' I v WOOL FORKING, ELEVATING, AND CONVEYING MACHINE] APPLIGAT'IONTILED MAB. 16, 1904.

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N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented August so, 1904. 1

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. TILLINGHAST, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE W. TATTERSON AND ARTHUR P. TATTERSON, OF STOCK- TON, CALIFORNIA.

WOOL FORKWING, ELEVATING, AND CONVEYING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 768,638, dated August 30, 1904.

Application filed March 15, 1904:. Serial No. 198,309. (No model.)

To (all whom. it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J osnrn H. TILLINGHAST, a citizen of the United States, residing in Stockton, in the county of San Joaquin and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WoolForking, Elevating, and Conveying Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which forma part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of forking, elevating, and conveying machines used for handling fibrous and analogous material during the cleansing process, more particularly wool.

My object is to introduce a machine more positive in its operation, which may be more cheaply constructed, which will more effectively agitate the wool while in the washing tub or vat, convey the same to the end of said tub or vat, and then 'elevate said wool to a conveyer which deposits it into the squeezerolls regularly by mechanical means automatically.- This I accomplish by the peculiar construction, novel combination, .and adaptation of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding thereof, in which 7 Figure 1 is a plan view of my forking, elevating, and conveying machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig.3 is a detached top view of one of the oscillating arms, showing its adjustability and other details. Fig. 4. is a detail view of the fork-supporting ratchet and pawl. Fig. 5 is an inner side elevation of the fork-operating ratchet and pawl.

Fig. 6 is a reverse side view of my machine. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the ratchet-wheel 37,

showing the pawl 42. r Fig. 8 is a detached plan view of the block 18, showing its connection to the pin 19 and sprocket-chain. I

Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all the views.

I shall designate the squeeze-rolls 1. These are of the form and function in general use and are located in suitable bearings at one end of a suitable tub or vat 2, .such as is used for washing wool or other analogous fibrous material. An apron or conveyer formed, preferably,of a series of rollers 3 is located in juxtaposition to the squeeze rolls 1 over the tub or-vat 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for the purpose hereinafter described. I arrange and attach posts 4 one on either side of and at a suitable point longitudinally on the vat or tub 2. To each post 41 adjustably attach a bracket 5, which is of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, having the extending arms 6 adapted to support a shaft 7, which is journaled in suitable boxes on the same and adapted to carry a cog-wheel 8, which is rigidly attached to the same between the said arms 6. Similar cog-wheels 9, adapted to engage with the said wheels 8, are journaled on suitable pins or studs rigidly inserted in the ends of the arms 6 of the brackets 5. of said wheels 9 has a small sprocket 1O rigidly attached on one side thereof for the purpose presently shown. Each of the brackets 5 has one end of a rod or track 11 inserted in Each the web near the top thereof, which extends forward and has its other end rigidly attached to a bracket 12, which is adjustably attached to posts 13, rigidly attached to the side of the tub or vat 2 at suitable points thereon, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These rods or tracks 11 are arranged horizontally on each side of the tub or vat 2, parallel with the same and with each other, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each of said rods or tracks 11 are adapted to support and guide a journal-bearing 1 1, which may be rigidly seated or formed on the top of a carriage 15, which has two roller-bearings 16 journaled therein and adapted to bear'on the said track 11. A vertically-slotted member or yoke 17 (shown in Fig. 2) is rigidly attached beneath the said carriage 15 and depends therefrom. A block 18 is inserted in the slot of the said member 17 and is adapted to slide therein-and has a pin 19 transversely through the same, which is attached to one of the links of the sprocket-chain 21, which are adapted to be driven by the sprockets and are supported at their extreme length by similar sprockets 23, which are journaled on pins or studs inserted near the ends of arms 24 on the brackets 12. The brackets 12 are placed on the posts 13 in a manner so as to be properly adjusted. A shaft is journaled transversely of the tub or vat 2 in the bearings 14 and has a fork 26 rigidly attached to the same, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to be operated in the tub or vat 2. Near the bearing 14 on the front side of the tub or vat 2 I rigidly attach a ratchet-wheel 37 to the shaft 25. (Shown in detail in Fig. 4.) The said ratchet-wheel 37 has a few teeth only, arranged on one side thereof, as shown.

A stem or stud 39 is rigidly attached to the bearing 14 or carriage 15 and extends to a point opposite the ratchet-wheel 37 and is adapted to receive a curved arm 40, which is pivoted thereon and adapted to rest over the said ratchet-wheel 37 and is provided with a slot 41 vertically in the same, in which said slot a pawl 42 is pivoted with its points extending downwardly, so as to engage the ratchet-teeth of the wheel 37.

The arm is curved, as shown in Fig 4, having the free end curved up, so as to engage the pin 46, located on thepost 13, as hereinafter described. Said arm 40 is provided with a lug 47 on one side, through which the threaded end of a stud or pin 48 is inserted, as shown in Fig. 4, which said stud or pin 48 is adapted to rest on the cap of the journal-bearing 14, thus taking the weight of the arm 40 off the pawls 42, which would otherwise receive the same.

A power-shaft 20 is journaled at a convenient point above the tub or vat 2 and has two sprocket-wheels 22 rigidly attached to the same in line with similar sprocket-wheels 38, which are rigidly attached to the shafts 7. By this arrangement of parts motion is communicated to the sprocket chains 21 through the cog wheels 8 and 9, the shafts 7, and sprockets 22 and 38 and the sprocket-chains 43, which engage said sprockets 22 and 38. The sprocket-chains 21, having the blocks 18 attached thereto, carries the shaft 25 and its immediate parts to and fro by reason of the yoke 17 and carriages 15, which support the bearings 14. A rake composed of the longitudinal arms 44 and the cross-pieces has one end of the longitudinal arms 44 pivoted to the shaft 25, and its rear or free end is suspended from and operated by a crank 27, attached to a sprocket-wheel 28, which is attached to a shaft 29 and journaled above the tub 2 and rake aforesaid. The said sprocket-' wheel 28 is revolved by a sprocket-chain 30, which engages a sprocket-wheel 31 on the main driving-shaft 20.

Any suitable communication may be employed between the crank 27 and the rakeframe; but I have shown a cord 32. Any pattern of rake 33 may be attached to the crosspieces 45, as shown in Fig. 2. The relative sizes of the wheels 28 and 31, together with the wheels 22, 38, 8, 9, 10, and 23, are such that said wheel 28 will make one revolution while the carriages 15 and shaft 25 are making one complete oscillation from one point forward and back to the same point. Thus as the shaft 25 moves forward, taking the rake also, the crank should be adjusted to take the downward stroke, thereby dropping the rake into the tub, drawing its contents forward within reach of the fork 26, for the purpose presently shown. On the rearward travel of the shaft 25 the crank 27 is on the upward stroke, raising said rake out of the tub as it is carried rearwardly.

The fork 26 is operated intermittently by means of a series or train of sprocket-wheels and chains maintained in relative positions with each other by means of adjustable oscillating arms extending between said shaft 25 and said shaft 20. The said oscillating arms are formed in two parts, each being similar to the other in general form, having the body portion 35 formed into the bifurcated or forked members 34. These forked members are provided with journal-bearings adapted to receive the shafts 25, 53, and 20, as more fully described herein. The body members 35 are attached together by bolts 36 in slots 49, as shown in Fig. 3. The end of one arm has a lug formed on its side, and the corresponding arm has a similar lug 51 near its center, said latter lug having an adjusting set-screw 52 adapted to impinge upon thelug 50. I use these oscillating arms in pairs, one having one end journaled on the shaft 20, the other having one end journaled on the shaft 25 and the free end of each journaled on a common shaft, as 53, forming an angle, as shown in Fig. 2. Said shaft 53 is adapted to carry two sprocket-wheels 54 and 55 between the forked members 34. These are attached rigidly together and adapted to receive motion through a sprocket-chain 56, which engages the wheel 54 and a similar wheel 57, rigidly attached to the shaft 20 between the members 34. A sprocket-chain 58 engages the wheel 55 and communicates motion to a similar sprocket-wheel 59, which is loosely mounted or journaled on the shaft 25 between the members 34.

The relative sizes of the sprocket-wheels 54 55 57 59 are such, taken in conjunction with therotation of the shaft 20, that the said wheel 59 will make two revolutions while the said shaft 25 is making one complete movement forward and back. A cog-wheel 60 is journaled on the shaft 25 and attached to and adapted to revolve with the said sprocketwheel 59. A similar cog-wheel 61, adapted to engage said wheel 60, has a shaft 62 and is suitably journaled in brackets 63 on the oscillating arms, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The inner end of said shaft 62 is adapted to carry a cam or crank pin 64, which is adjustable by means of a slot 65 and a cap-screw, as shown in Fig. 5. The said wheel 61 is adapted to make one revolution to the two revolutions of the wheel 60. The shaft 25 between the members 34 of the oscillating arms is adapted to carry a fork-operating ratchet-wheel 66, which is rigidly attached to the same.

The wheel 66 has a slot 67 (shown more particularly in Fig. 5,) which is adapted to be engaged intermittently by a pawl 68, which is carried by the sprocket-wheel 59, which has a lug 69 on its side for that purpose; The pawl 68 is pressed into engagement with the slot 67 by a spring 70, which has one end rigidly attached to the side of the wheel 59, the other end engagingwith said pawl 68. Said pawl 68 has a lug 71 on one end which is adapted to engage with the pin 64 at each alternate revolution of the wheel 59, said pin 64 being adjusted so to do.

The purpose of the oscillating arms 34 35 and the sprockets 54 and 55 and their connectingchains is to give the sprocket 59 a continuous and steady forward motion or revolution when the shaft 20 is set in motion.

Each part having beenv properly adjusted and as the carriages 15, shaft 25, and fork 26 recede from the squeeze-rolls 1 and feed-rolls 3 the ratchet-pawl 68 engages the slot 67, thus revolving the shaft 25 and fork 26 through the medium of the ratchet-wheel 66.

The above mechanism is revolved rear wardly, so as to turn the fork 26 over the shaft 25 as the same recedes, said fork being about to descend into the tub as the carriages and shaft 25 reach their rearward limit. As the fork 26 and shaft 25 begin their forward movement said fork dips into the tub or vat, gathering its fibrous contents upon its members, whereupon as it reaches a horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pawl 68 reaches a point in its revolution where its lug 71 engages with the pin 64, which is adjusted so as to be at a point in its revolution nearest the shaft 25. As the said pin 64 engages the lug 71 the pawl 68 is disengaged from the slot 67 and the rotation of the fork 26 ceases and is held from dropping back by the pawl 42 and ratchet 37. At the same time the forward movement of the fork and its load continues until carried over the rolls 3, where the arm 40 engages the pin 46-, releasing the pawl 43 from the ratchet-wheel 37, allowing the fork 26 to drop on the said rolls 3, which draw the material from the fork. The fork then begins to recede again and is held in position by the ratchet and pawl as soon as the arm 40 leaves the pin 46 until the pawl 68 completes its second revolution and engages the slot 67. The pin 64 is adapted to be at its greatest distance away from the shaft 25 as the pawl 68 is carrying the fork over, so as to allow it to pass without tripping.

Many features shown in my drawings are not new; but I haveshown them only to illustrate the connection of my invention therewith. Such parts Ido not claim, broadly; but

said rake simultaneously with the reciprocation of the fork and its shaft and means for communicating motion to said crank, all arranged and'operatingsubstantially as shown and described.

2. In a machine of the class described the combination with a tub or vat having feed and squeeze or wringer rolls mounted thereon,.of the fork 26 rigidly attached to the shaft 25, said shaft 25 suitably journaled on carriages arranged on either side of the tub or vat, the controlling ratchet and pawl 37,40, 42, the pin46, the ratchet-wheel 66 rigidly attached tosaid shaft 25, having the notch or slot 67 in its periphery, the sprocket-wheel 59, loosely mounted on said shaft 25, adapted to carry the pawl 68, 71, the cog-wheels 60 and 61 mounted as described, the shaft 62 carrying the pin 64, the arms 34, 35, the sprockets 54, 55, journaled at the juncture of the arms aforesaid, the sprocket-chains 5'8 and 56, the sprocket 57 mounted on the power-shaft and means for operating the fork-shaft carriages aforesaid, all substantially as shown and described.

3. In a-machine of the class described, the

means for operating a rota'tive fork intermittently, comprising two oscillating arms, one journaled tothe power-shaft and depending therefrom, the other journaled to and extending horizontally from the fork-shaft, the free ends of each meeting at a common point, said arms being adapted to carry suitable sprocket.- wheels, at their juncture, a sprocket-chain adapted to communicate motion from said power-shaft to said sprockets, a sprocket ing feed and squeeze rolls, and means for the reciprocation of said forkshaft to and fro on the tub or vat, all substantially as shown and described.

4:. In a machine of the class described, the means for operating a rotative fork intermittently comprising two oscillating arms, one journaled to the power-shaft and depending therefrom, the other journaled to and extending horizontally from the fork-shaft, the free ends of each meeting at a common point, said arms being adapted to carry suitable sprocketwheels at their juncture, a sprocket chain adapted to communicate motion from said power-shaft to said sprockets, a sprocketwheel 59 loosely mounted on the fork-shaft adapted to communicate with said junetural sprocket wheels aforesaid by means of a sprocket-chain, a ratchet-wheel 66 rigidly attached to said fork-shaft in juxtaposition to the said wheel 59, and having a notch or slot 67 in its periphery, a pawl 68, pivoted to said wheel 59 and adapted to engage the notch or slot 67, means for tripping said pawl 68, a rake attached to the forkshaft 25, at one end and flexibly suspended by suitable means from and operated. at its other end by a crank adapted to rotate simultaneously with the reciprocation of the fork 26 and shaft 25, and means for reciprocating said fork 26 and shaft in combination With a suitable tub or vat having the feed and squeeze rolls 3 and 1, respectively, all substantially as shown and described.

5. In a machine of the class described the oscillating arms 34, 35, bifurcated at each end and adjustable longitudinally by means of the slots 49, bolts 36, lugs 50, 51, and screw 52, as a means for conveying motion from a shaft journaled at a stationary point to a shaft adapted to oscillate to and fro at right angles to its axis, the sprocket-wheels 5a, 55, journaled at the juncture of the said oscillating arms, suitable sprocket chains engaging sprocketwheels journaled in the arms in combination with a reciprocating shaft carrying a revoluble fork, means for operating said fork and shaft, anda suitable tub or vat, all substantially as shown and described.

6. In a machine of the class described, a power-shaft journaled above the tub, a revoluble fork-shaft, having a suitable fork rigidly attached thereto, journaled so as to move to and fro laterally, means for rotating said shaft intermittently, a rake pivoted at one end to the fork-shaft the other end suspended from and operated by a crank and pitman, means for operating said crank simultaneously with the reciprocation of the fork-shaft and means for reciprocating said fork-shaft in combination with a suitable tub or vat having feed and squeeze rolls all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH H. TILLINGHAST.

WVitnesses:

M. HAYNES, A. P. TATTERSON. I 

